TV pundit tipped to win Portuguese presidential election

Portugal voters began voting on Sunday to elect a new president in a vote that could have a big impact on the future of the anti-austerity government that came to power two months ago.

In a field of 10 contenders, 67-year-old Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Portugal’s most popular television pundit and the candidate supported by the centre-right opposition, has emerged as the overwhelming favourite after decades in the public eye.

Although the post of president is mainly ceremonial, the president has make-or-break power over the nation’s fragile ruling alliance and the power to dissolve parliament in the event of a crisis. Since inconclusive elections in October, Portugal’s minority Social government has been relying on a delicate coalition with the extreme-left to run the country of 10.4 million people.

The critical role of the president was highlighted when Anibal Cavaco, the outgoing Portuguese president, resisted swearing in Socialist prime minister Antonio Costa until he provided guarantees that his government would comply with EU rules.

Polls suggest that de Sousa, a law professor who has been involved in Portuguese politics and media since his youth, will surpass the 50% mark required for an outright win in Sunday's voting. If none of the 10 candidates passes this threshold, a run-off will be held on 14 February.

Known as Professor Marcelo to his fans, de Sousa has the support of right wing parties but says he will not be reliant on them. He has pledged to do everything he can to ensure the current government's stability, and said he will do his best to rule “above the fray.”

“He is a consensus candidate and a moderate who takes votes both on the left and on the right. But the voters will have to mobilize for him to be elected in the first round,” political analyst Jose Antonio Passos Palmeira told AFP news agency.

If elected he will succeed Anibal Cavaco Silva, a conservative who served two consecutive five-year terms.

With analysts expecting a low turnout following a low-key campaign there is still a possibility that Mr de Sousa's two left-of-centre rivals - former university dean Antonio Sampaio da Novoa and former Socialist health minister Maria de Belem Roseira - might upset the opinion polls

Portugal’s president can dissolve parliament, call a general election and appointment prime ministers — powers that could prove crucial to the survival of the minority Socialist government that took office in November after comprising a fragile coalition with far-left parties.